Around 130 jobs are under threat across sausage skin maker Devro's production plants in Moodiesburn and Bellshill.

The company has today entered into a 45-day consultation period with staff as it looks to move towards more efficient technology.

Shares in Devro had plunged in April after the company issued a profit warning its profits would be around £8 million lower this year as sales in some of its markets had stalled.

At the time, Devro said t would accelerate its plans to streamline its manufacturing capability to mitigate predicted losses.

The company, which currently employs around 520 people across its two Lanarkshire sites, had announced plans in its full-year results in March to invest £50 million in a new plant in China.

Devro also brought new plant on stream in the Czech Republic last year.

In March the company had warned it would seek “additional debt funding” in the first half of 2014 in addition to the £61 million bank facility agreed last June.

In full-year results, Devro said it expected to report growth in total sales in 2014, “particularly in Germany, China, Japan and parts of Latin America”, but added the outlook for “other important markets, such as the UK, Russia, USA and Australasia, is less clear”.

As a result, the company said it would “lower production volumes during the year to balance short-term supply and demand,” though chief executive Peter Page had stated on the full year announcement the streamlining would not affect Scotland.

“To be absolutely clear, we are committed to Scotland,” he said.

Devroe had also warned the strengthening of sterling against other currencies was “likely to have a negative impact on results in 2014”.

Commenting on the 45-day consultation launched today, Page said the announcement “follows several months of careful consideration and detailed analysis of our manufacturing facilities around the world”.

He added: “We have looked at all options. Many factors have influenced our thinking, most importantly trends in consumer demand, future growth prospects and how we can best take advantage of new opportunities in emerging markets.

“These are very difficult proposals to make but they are the right ones for the future of Devro.

"By taking this action now, we can maintain a competitive advantage and plan for a strong business based in Scotland, having invested over £30 million here since 2008.”

Page said he was aware of the “impact the changes would have on employees, their families and the community,” and the company will “work with the Scottish government and Scottish Enterprise throughout the consultation period”.